By Kat Tabor
Jeffrey Cooper is seeking a seat on the Lane Community College Board of Education, running for the Zone 1 position, which represents western Lane County and is currently held by Denise Diamond. Cooper has served as chair of the college’s Advanced Technology Advisory Committee for about five years.
When asked what perspective he would bring to the board, Cooper pointed to his career in the trades and his ongoing relationships with local employers.
“I work in the industry, and I’ve worked for several companies that stay in touch with what employers are really looking for,” he said. “I think I can bring that perspective.”
Cooper said he is especially interested in improving outreach between LCC and area high schools.
“I’m very big on outreach, and I think that’s something LCC could be doing better,” Cooper said.
He also emphasized his background as a youth sports coach, pointing to the communication and leadership skills he has developed over the years.
“I’m a good listener and a quick learner,” Cooper said. “I think I can bring a more grassroots, common-sense perspective to the board.”
When asked about the appointment process for the unfilled Position 7 previously covered by The Torch, Cooper said he was unfamiliar with the current proceedings on the board of education and acknowledged it would be a learning experience. “This is my first toe in the water when it comes to the elected positions, so this is going to be a learning process,” he said.
Cooper is a board member and coaching administrator for Willamette Valley Youth Football. He also coaches wrestling and football at Oaklea Middle School in Junction City.
When asked about diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Cooper said he supports equal access to education but does not believe it should be a prioritized policy.
“I think everyone should have the opportunity to access a good education. I don’t think personally that that should be a prioritized policy. But again, I’m not trying to take away from the importance of everybody having had the ability to get a great education and have access to all of the opportunities that LCC has to offer, but I don’t want it to be a prioritized policy.”
Cooper is the chief operating officer at Paramount Iron Works in Junction City and previously worked for Mohawk Metal in Eugene as a plant operations manager. He holds a high school diploma from Banks High School in Banks, Oregon.
Cooper has the support of State Representative Boomer Wright, Mayor of Junction City Ken Wells, West Lane County Commissioner Ryan Ceniga and Florence City Councilor Robert Carp.
As of publication, candidates who have filed for the Lane Community College Board of Education election include Jeffrey Cooper and Jerry Rust for Zone 1, Julie Weismann and Devon Lawson for Zone 3, Richard Andrew Vasquez and Austin Fölnagy for Zone 4, and Jesse Alejandro Maldonado for the At-Large Position 7 (two-year unexpired term). The deadline to file or withdraw from the race passed on March 20.
The deadline for new voter registration is April 29. For more information on Lane County’s special elections, visit LaneCounty.org. Voters can check their registration status at SOS.oregon.gov.
The Torch will cover the candidates throughout the election process. If you would like to share information or be featured, please email kattabor.journalism@gmail.com.
